iPod Playlists/Orginization

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Hmmm, but she would always have to add songs from your computer, if I'm not mistaken. Otherwise, doesn't she lose the songs you uploaded from your computer?

For example, I have all my playlists on my iPod, but lose my original computer due to _____. I get a new computer, but not all the songs I've downloaded (and purchased for the sake of legality). I burn a few CDs I didn't have so I can add some more new music to it. I want to add the new playlist to my iPod, but don't have the other playlists - doesn't iPod kick off the old lists? I know it used to...

Or a different example. I want to pick up a playlist off your computer, but iPod can't update the rest of my playlists because they don't exist on your computer... Will I lose my music if I add your songs?

You're mistaken. The only time managing an iPod on multiple computers (or managing multiple iPods on a single computer) becomes an issue is if you have your preferences set to automatically sync. As long as you have your iPod set to sync manually when you connect it to a machine, you can drag a playlist from a computer right on to the iPod and all of the songs will come with it. I have two working iPods that I use with 3 different computers and have never had an issue.

It also seems that there's a little confusion about "protection". While it's true that all music bought from the iTunes Music Store is protected by DRM, none of the music that you rip from CDs is protected(unless you specifically make it so). You can take unprotected music from any computer (as long as it's an mp3 or AAC) and put it onto an iPod.

Finally, make sure that you know about free options of getting music off your iPod. My favorite program for Macs is called Senuti (get it?). You can use it to move complete playlists from your iPod onto your computer.

Whew.

And for the record, I tend to only use playlists for specific rare occasions. For example, I have all of Scott Walker's LPs and singles on my ipod. I can access them by Artist, Song, or Album, but if I want to hear all of the Scott stuff from 1967-1971, say, I make a playlist.